We have no idea how many people to expect, and the co-op's community room is somewhat small. If possible, please RSVP to <mudhome [at] netzero [dot] net> with your name and contact info so we can let you know if we end up having to scramble for a larger space.

The first get-together will be an informal meet-and-greet so we can all find out a little about each other and brainstorm about how to have a fun, educational, fulfilling, ongoing group. Successful models we can draw inspiration from exist in places like Ithaca NY, Madison WI, and Boone NC.

In those places, meetings generally revolve around a topic. Sometimes a member or somebody in the community has particular experience or knowledge they're willing to share in a talk, presentation, or demonstration.

The best part of a group like this is the opportunity to help work on projects—pitching in at a timber-frame raising, helping build a cob oven or a stone wall, plastering a strawbale wall. Good stuff.

The schedule can be set (such as "a particular day of every month at a particular place and time"), or flexible (the place and time of the next meeting being decided at the current one). The Ithaca group follows the flexible approach, and meets somewhere different each time: a strawbale house, then an off-grid cabin, followed by a salvaged-materials project site. (This can be a somewhat limited option, depending on the membership.)

This group is intended to be for everybody, whether or not they've ever built anything. It's about learning, empowerment, and—whenever possible—doing.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please let us know!